Mishkeegogamang fire razes children's centre

Gary R. 193 5013

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Mishkeegogamang First Nation is located in northwestern Ontario, around the area where the Albany River meets Lake St. Joseph. More than 900 people live on its two reserves.

A weekend fire on the Mishkeegogamang First Nation has destroyed a community resource for children.

The Nishnawbe-Aski Police Service says a trailer that housed the Early Years learning program went up in flames early Saturday morning. Police were called just after 3 a.m.

Jackie George, a spokesperson with the police service, said police continue to look into what caused the blaze.

"When police arrived, the fire was in progress and there were members who operate the local fire truck at the scene," George said. "However the truck was frozen and inoperable so nothing could be done in terms of fire suppression."

The inoperable fire truck echoes a recent CBC story in which Nibinamik First Nation band councillor Stanley Oskineegish said these tragedies happen far too often.

"I think we need to have all the proper fire equipment, fire trucks, fire hoses and things like that," he said.

Oskineegish said his community's fire truck was in the garage one year ago, when a fatal fire broke out there. He said Nibinamik First Nation is still waiting for repairs as the band council doesn't have the money to fix it.